Can someone help me with drawing my comic strip more efficiently?

Question

Currently, I am drawing a comic strip. Right now it is being drawn in black and white with art pens on Bristol paper. My issue is, I am finding that drawing the rectangular panels that go around the comic strips take a lot of time. I have tried two methods with this. The first method is just doing it the old fashioned way using a ruler and my art pens. The second method I use is drawing the comic strips at first without the rectangular panels. I then scan it into the computer and use software like Paint to put the rectangular panels around my comic strips, then edit my artwork so that my artwork fits neatly within the panels. Both methods take a lot of time.

Can someone recommend a more efficient way to draw my comic strip panels? I am considering purchasing the Wacom tablet, so if that is your answer, please give me a little information about the product and which one to get. Thanks!

Answer 1

For that specific purpose, the graphics tablet will not offer much help.

Before computers, comic artists would pencil in the boxes, create the drawings, pretty much ignoring the exact edge of the panel, so as not to obstuct the creation of characters' and plot's natural "feeling" of being in real space. When done, the artist and/or inker, could then do the borders with a straight edge and pen and finish off the panel's ink.

Now, as often as not, the artist may still create the illustrations on paper, scan it and then crop and frame the drawing in the computer. This could be as fast as "Select All," and "Stroke." in an application like Photoshop. In other words, YOU wouldn't have to try to crop the art to fit, neatly within the panel. You "draw" the panel after you have resized the illustration.

Once this is done, all the frames could be assembled in page layout application.

Answer 2

I've been using scratch paper and photocopied border outlines, definately a low cost - fast production style. I know, I should be using Bristol....

So photocopying isn't going to do it for you.

I did find an excelent start to finish 'how to' for one of the syndicated comics in the Sunday papers, it's got a step by step description that walks a person through how that strip is done (SIX people! A scanner, etc.) and it's very informative. I've been recommending it lately for people who question how some artists work.

It's over here -- The panels are actually put in by the person who does the lettering, AFTER the lettering is all done and the word balloons are just starting to be drawn. I think that's page #27 (they're small pages, you go through the tutorial pretty quickly).

http://www.fborfw.com/features/makingof/index.php?page=1

I hate hand drawing them too, I had trouble getting all the corners perfect!

As for Wacom, I've heard a LOT of good things about it but they all say that the more expensive models are preferred, they work so much better and get nicer results.

Answer 3

Chibi manga is a good way to draw comic strips as it's not too complicated yet fun. When I want to make my art look more professional I sometimes use Microsoft Paint. I know that it seems rather limited however with a comic strip not much detail is needed. Using the "Curve" you can trace around your drawing (or start from scratch). Best of luck with your comic.